iStock/Thinkstock(KABUL, Afghanistan) -- A group of insurgents attacked Kabul International Airport on Thursday, firing rockets into the north side of the building and exchanging heavy gunfire with security forces.

Armed gunmen fired into the establishment and lobbed rocket-propelled grenades during the strike, which stretched for hours, according to officials. Four insurgents were killed.

Kabul Airport has been the focus of previous attacks, marked as an easy target for its location in an urban area surrounded by construction. Oftentimes, the Taliban can take over an unoccupied building and launch attacks with ease.

The incident shut down operations for eight hours while Afghan police struggled to regain control. Rockets landed in the area, but no aircraft were damaged.

Thursday's attack is the second time the airport has been assailed in the last two weeks. On July 3, the Taliban fired rockets toward the buildings, with one directly hitting Afghan President Hamid Karzai's helicopter. The aircraft was completely destroyed.

The president's personal security team was also ambushed Thursday while driving through the area of a recent suicide bombing.